LOVE is Alive in Carlsbad

Everyday is a chance to tell someone you love them, but on a day as special as Valentine's Day, what a perfect day to renew marriage vows with over 50 years as a couple! At La Marea Senior Living, three couples walked down the aisle years later to renew their love for each other—To pause to celebrate in this sacred 2nd moment.

During this ceremony, Pastor Bruce gave opening words, guided the exchanging of vows for each couple, and played heartfelt melodies. Family and friends and fellow residents gathered to partake in the occasion. It was a strong visceral moment of community.

A special poem "Loved you yesterday, love you still, Always have, always will," was felt in this intimate gathering.

When you think about the many years of these couples, the themes that they all seem to embrace for longevity are simple. Through the highs and the lows. Through the smiles and the pain. Through the bad and good memories made. Through thick and thin. Love is a promise, through it all, for a lifetime.

As a vow renewal, renewing means believing in love, in a partnership, still after all these moments.

One of the couples mentioned he proposed to his wife years ago on a Valentine's Day so this was a perfect opportunity to renew and bring it full circle.

As an officiate myself, I've interviewed many couples and I have noticed the best marriages contain substance. Not quicksand, or cotton candy, but heavy substance, because as a couple can conquer going through hard things together, it adds to the relationship in a more intimate, positive way.

We can all learn something from our fellow lovebirds here. No matter a wheelchair, a walker, or a wonder, every day we can intentionally choose love. Congratulations to Geroge & Olga, Ed & Dewey, Gerald & Shirley, Jack & Trudy, Frank & Marcia, Pat & Bill, Reg & Joan, Jim & Bonnie, Vinnie & Sheila, and Larry & Lu.

One of the couples, Gerald and Shirley, has been together for ages. Gerald in a wheelchair could barely speak, but gestured an "I do" with his mouth as Shirley tears up in such a profound way as if she's watching her whole life in rewind, the ups and downs they've shared, and the beautiful memories they are still making today, they are still in love.

As the officiate mentioned, may you have more summers and winters together.

In honor of valentines day and seeing local Carlsbad residents share their hearts, tt seems the secrets to many years of love are to keep growing in love, to never stop the loving, even with little gestures such as a blow of a kiss.

When the couples were asked, "what is it about him/her that you like" one husband mentioned, "it's simple for me really" She always had food on the table, a clean house, we look after one another, you can't ask for more."